n. [ L. cratis hurdle; perh. akin to E. cradle. See Hurdle, and cf. Crate a framework. ] 1. A large basket or hamper of wickerwork, used for the transportation of china, crockery, and similar wares. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A box or case whose sides are of wooden slats with interspaces, -- used especially for transporting fruit. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Crated; p. pr. & vb. n. Crating. ] To pack in a crate or case for transportation; as, to crate a sewing machine; to crate peaches. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the quantity contained in a crate.
Syn. -- crate. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. crater, cratera, a mixing vessel, the mouth of a volcano, Gr. krath`r, fr. keranny`nai to mix; cf. Skr. çrī to mix, çir to cook, çrā to cook. Cf. Grail, in Holy Grail. ] 1. The basinlike opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes; similarly, the mouth of a geyser, about which a cone of silica is often built up. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) The pit left by the explosion of a bomb, shell, or mine. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astron.) A constellation of the southen hemisphere; -- called also the Cup. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. cratera + -form. ] (Bot.) Having the form of a shallow bowl; -- said of a corolla. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or resembling, a crater. [ R. ] R. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]